Apparatus for assembling bicycle frames



Feb. 20, 1951 H. KRAEFT ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES Filed Aug. 18, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet I MLWL... & .V uH W. N D D. Ammw Nn J mmw 5% Feb. 20, 1951 H. L. KRAEFT ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES '15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 IN V EN TOR5 HEKHAN LKRAEF LONARDI-WA T2 6 1 EQDOLPH F. 5K5 RL.

Feb. 20, 1951 H. KRAEFT ETAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 INVENTORS. HERMAN L.| RAEF'T LEONARD J.WALTERS 1 RUDOLPH F. SKERL.

Feb. 20, 1951 H. KRAEFT EIAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES l5 Shegts-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 Q S HRH A EEE .ATK

D WMRW 6v MMO WW mwmy Feb. 20,1951 H. KRAEFT EIAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 Nmm 99m.

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Feb. 20, 1951 H. KRAEFT ETAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 .L J f/n/s/vro/e RMAN L.KR LIONARD 3'. WALTER-5 LPN F. SKEIEL ,aggkmm Feb. 20, 1951 H. L. KRAEFT ETAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES l5 Shee 'ts-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 INVENTORS K RAE FT, LEONARD J. WALTERS RUDOLP HERMAN H F.- SKERL.

Feb. 20, 1951 H. KRAEFT El AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES l5 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 35B & F .35

Feb. 20, 1951 H. L. KRAEFT ETAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES l5 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 INVENTORS HERMAN L. KKAE i=1- LEONARDIWAL-=KS 1 u QLPHFSKERL I QQMJQYW M Feb. 20,1951 H. L. KRAEFT ETAL 2,542,538

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES Filed Aug. 18, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 112 AW im WWA INVENTORS HERMAN L. KRAEFT,

LEONARD J.WALTERS, RUDOLPH RSKERL H. L. KRAEFT ETAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES Feb. 20, 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 I I "I I INVENTORS HEKHRN L.KI?.AE FT LEONAQD J. WALTERE; ma F SKERL. Q Mow Feb. 20, 1951 H. L. KRAEFT EIAL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 NW MPW IN VEN TORS HERHHH L. KRAE FT l l i I l I l l T Filed Aug. 18, 1945 w 5 m k m L m M s I F. D

mm u m w L Feb. 20, 1951 H. L. KRAEFT ETAL 2,542,538

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES Filed Aug. 18, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 //VI/EA/7'0/5 HERMAN L..KRAEFT LEONARD TWALTERS Q YUDOLIFH FTSKE L RQQ M W Patented Feb. 20, 1951 2,542,538

UNITED. STATES PATENT omcs APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING BICYCLE FRAMES Herman L. Kraeft, Cleveland Heights, Leonard J. Walters, Shalger Heights, and Rudolph F. Skerl, Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Murray-Ohio Manufacturing Company; Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of .Ohio 7 Application August '18, 1945, Serial No. 611,286 Claims. (Cl. 29-252) 1 e 2 This invention is directed to the manufacture of joint forming preparatory to a copper brazing of tubular frame structures such as velocipede operation which eliminates the general need of frames and the particular disclosure herein set a tube locking or a securing medium at each forth illustrates the novel method and the novel joint to maintain the inter-relationship of the apparatus adapted to the manufacture of bicycle is joined tube members when expansion thereof frames. takes place during the brazing operation.

In the prior Kraeft and Walters application A further object of the present invention is Serial No. 513,163' now Patent No. 2,435,4-{l8 a t e provisionof a novel method of simultaneously bicycle frame is disclosed having such structural effecting a pressure assembly of several sub-ascharacteristics as to make feasible the .pre- 9 mbli s Compr s ng a t bular velocipede frame assembling of all of the elements or parts of the in u a r s to avoid t r ti f frame whereby a simultaneous copper brazing of troublesome localized stresses in the tubular eleall of the frame parts, including reinforcements, ments which would cause warping i a subseq could be eifected in a highly advantageou mansimultaneous brazing operation;

ner by hea ingtheentire frame .to a copper braz; A turther' object of the present invention is ing temperature in a non oxidizing environment. to'prov'ide a mode of effecting .a press fitted pre- This resulted in the production of a strong frame assembly of the various tubular elements comof such external neatness and cleanness as to prising a bicycle frameWhereby-the over-all acobviate the labor-of trimming, grinding and f i1- curacy of the lire-assembly x i/ill be maintained ing of fiashings or drippings unavoidably incurred 20. without the use of heat consuming fixtures durin welding and brazing methods heretofore pracing a general brazing operation in'which the enticed in the velocipede frame manufacturing art. tire "frame is heated to temperatures of from In said application the preconditioning of the 2025? to 2080 F. while standing in an upright pre-assembledframe-joints to withstand the exposition.

pansion of the frame parts when raised to a A further object is the provision of. novel copper brazing temperature or from 20 2 5" to 2080 mechanism for carrying out various steps oflthe F. without a resulting disruption of accurate remethod disclosed." lationship of the parts at the joints comprised The present invention contemplates the use of a salient feature of the disclosed method. an order of assembly of the various elements and Generally the method comprised efiecting a parts cempr si g i v l eipede frame wh re close fitting of the parts at the joints and the very substantial pressures can be utilized to efpreliminary maintenance of the joints by atempofect very ,tight press fits of from .005 to .015. We rary locking of the joined tubes through the use have determined that severe press fits will elimie of spot welds or the like that would hold the asnate all danger of a spreading or creeping of the sembled relationship of the inserted ends of the rame parts relative to each other when heated smaller tubeswhich had been close fitted into t l ufifl lill a bra i emperature of over openings formed in the larger tubes. While the 2OQ0 F, and without interfering with the capilultimate purpose was fulfilled; the joint spotting lary mig et on of the liquid copper. Th presin some instances was awkward and uncertain sures required to force the smaller tube ends into in that occasionally spot weld failures would de- 40 t p ni s forme the Wall f th la velop during the high temperature period of the ubular elements are quite substantial and, due

brazing with a resulting slippage at one or more o the ac th most of e reach b sof the joints. Hence a certain percentage of the ing the frame ar e cu v li e r i Sh pe, the i d completed frames would have to be discarded of supporting and conditioning the elements to i c such a gbmpleted frame 0011111 ot be receive such press fitting forces and the mode salvaged. of force application is such that proper align- The general object of the present invention is o f the interfitting p ess fitted parts can be to simplify further and to improve the mode of m intained during thisoperation- The creation es e yandthe-t mporary bonding-of th joints of internal str sse and st ain w i o l .b of the assembly whereby the entire frame .as- 59 31? ma iies i d O i0 F and bad joints when sembly will remain so thoroughly locked when released i g the overall high {temperature the entire frame. isheated to approximately 2000? brazing operationisavoidedf F" that practicallyfn'o subsequent straightening Our method, which is here disclosed as .of the frame elements is required. I plied to making bi'c rele frame, accordingly comnnother object isto provide'api'essuremode prises the formation of four sub-assemblies of the elements which consist of the bicycle frame, to-wit; the double walled head or front fork hearing housing tube having two non-parallel openings formed therein and into which openings ends of curved upper and lower reach bars have been press fitted; the center or seat post mast tube assembly formed of a double walled hanger housing tube having four openings of different diameters formed in the double wall thereof with the center tube lower end press fitted into one of the openings and a branched seat post cluster member press fitting upon the'outer surface of the center mast tube in a desired position (dependent upon whether a girls or boys bicycle frame is to be produced) and two rear fork sub-assemblies, each consisting of an upper rear fork tubular member and a lower rear fork tubular member of curvilinear shape with one end of each tube flattened to be press fitted or otherwise secured to lugs or branches formed on rear axle plates or yokes. The various smaller tubes have reinforcing inserts assembled within the end portions thereof. In the drawings We have shown apparatus for effecting these pre-assemblies and will now refer thereto in the order of the above listed sub-assemblies.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mechanism for effectin the pre-assembly of the head or front bearing tube, the upper and lower reach bars of the frame;

Fig. 1A is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through the center of the front tube housing and front upper and lower rear ends to illustrate the relationship of gauging means acting on these frame parts;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the head tube clamping mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the clamping mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation taken substantially along the line 55 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an adaptation shown in Fig. 1 in the pre-assembly of the front housing or bearing tube and the front upper and lower reach bars of a girls bicycle frame;

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of part of the mechanism shown'in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the head or front bearing tube clamping mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the front housing or bearing tube clamping mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through a clamping slide and tube guiding mechanism taken along the line l0-lfl in Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of mechanism for effecting the pre-assembly of a rear axle plate and an upper and a lower rear fork tube, there being two of such mechanisms utilized for effecting right and left-hand pre-assemblies;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an end elevation of part of the mechanism as viewed from the left side of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional elevation taken substantially along the line [4-44- of Fig. 11 showing the structure of one of the tube clamping and guiding slide mechanisms;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of the relationship of the rear fork tubular members and a rear axle plate before the pres fitting pre- 4 assembly thereof by the mechanism shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of four pro-assemblies comprising a boys type bicycle frame;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of four pro-assemblies comprising a girl's type bicycle frame;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of a machine for effecting the final assembly of the four pre-assemblies comprising the bicycle frames and as adapted to effecting such final assemblies of both boys and girls type of bicycle frames;

Fig. 19 is a partial plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 18 to emphasize the mechanism for clamping, guidin and press fitting the two pairs of rear frame assemblies, each consisting of an upper fork tube, a lower fork tube and rear axle plate, to the center mast pre-assembly;

Fig. 20 is a partial side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional elevation taken substantially along the line 2 l-2l of Fig. 19 through a sliding clamp fixture which carries the two rear axle plates and attached tubes in properly spaced relation; 7

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the final assembly machine shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional elevation taken through the head tube or front bearing housing tube gauging and clamping mechanism and substantially along the line 23-23 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional elevation taken substantially along the line 2424 of Fig. 18 through the center mast assembly gauging and clamping mechanism;

Fig. 25 comprises an enlargement of the front housing gauging and clampin mechanism shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 26 is an elevational view of the gauging, clamping and slide mechanism as viewed from the left in Figs. 18 and 25;

Fig. 27 is a partial rear view of the structure shown in Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is an enlarged plan view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 18 and comprising nibbing means for locking the upper front reach bar to the center mast cluster by a metal indenting operation and as adapted to such looking for both boys and girls type frames;

Fig. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation taken substantially along the line 29-49 of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 29 on a smaller scale;

Fig. 31 is a side elevational view of a sliding cam mechanism for effecting actuation of the nibbing mechanism shown in Figs. 28, 29 and 30;

Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional elevation of the upper front reach bar or tube gauging and actuating means and taken substantially along the line 32-32 of Figs. 18 and 19;

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3333 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 34-414 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 35 is an enlarged plan view of the seat post or center mast cluster clamping means and tubular guiding means for guiding the ends of the upper rear fork tubes and the rear ends of the upper reach bar tubes during the press fit- 5. ting of the same to the centermast cluster assembly; I

Fig. 35A is a side elevation clamping mechanism as viewed from the right of Fig. 35;

Fig. 35B is an elevation of the rear upper fork tube guiding means as viewed from the position indicated by the line 35B35B in Fig. 35;

Fig. 356 is a side elevational View of the means shown in Fig. 35B as viewed from the left of Fig. 35

Fig. 35D is an elevational view of the girls type cluster clamping and tube guiding means as viewed from a position indicated by the line 35D-35D in Fig. 18;

Fig. 36 is a plan view of the hanger housing gauging and clamping means shown in Fig. 18, but enlarged for the purpose of disclosure;

Fig. 37 is an elevational view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 36 and as viewed from the direction indicated by the line 31-31 in Fig. 36;

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the hanger housing gauging and clamping means taken substantially along the irregular line 38-38 of Fig. 36

Figs. 39 and 40 are enlarged elevational Views of the hanger housing clamping mechanism to show the means for effecting the operation thereof Fig. 41 is a top plan View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 18 to illustrate the location of the hydraulic means for operating the various fixtures comprising the assembling machine;

Fig. 42 is a side elevational view of the hydraulic mechanism indicated in Fig. 41;

Fig. 43 is a cross-sectional elevation of the machine taken substantially along the line 4343 of Fig. 42 to illustrate a knockout mechanism for extracting or elevating the completely assembled frame out of the machine; and

Fig. 44 is a fragmentary end view out mechanism shown in Fig. 43.

In Figs. 1 to inclusive, the apparatus for effectin the front sub-assembly of a boys type frame is shown, while in Figs. 6 to inclusive, a similar apparatus for efiecting the front subassembly of a girls type frame is shown. The apparatus of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, comprises primarily shiftable tube clamps or carriers 50 and 55 for clampingly engaging the front upper and lower reach bars 52 and 53 respectively, in position indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 1; a head tube positioning and clamping mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 54; and two pressure slides 55 and 51, preferably hydraulically operated by pressure units, generally indicated by the reference numerals 53 and 59, respectively. These various mechanisms are mounted upon base plates supported on the top flat side of a machine bed or plate 60. These associated mechanisms are on the top of the bed so that the curving center'lines of the preformed reach bars 52 and 53 and the head tube center line will be disposed in a horizontal plane when placed in the apparatus for assembly. The head positioning and clamping mechanism comprises a clamping anvil and gauging block 62 which is hollowed out to form a half cylinder of the knock- 'cradle for the reception of head tube 64. This block also is provided with two guiding channels for guiding the ends of the reach bars to openings in the head tube as will be described. Secured to one end of the block 62 is a gauging plug 55 which closes one end of the trough or cradle of the center mast of the block 62 and serves as a gaugestop. for one end of the head tube. Disposed at the opposite end of the block 62 is a shiftable gauging plug 56 supported by a bracket. 67 to engage. the opposite end of the head tube. The gauging plug may be operated by a lever member 82 pivotally connected to an extended end of the plug shank Sta, the lever 82 being pivotally supported by a block 83 fixed to the bed of the machine. These gauging members and 66 may be shaped to fit into counterboresv formed in the ends of the head tube 49 and serve, with a head'tube clamping means associated therewith, to hold the head tube firmly. A head tube clamping member is adjustably supported on a swingable arm ll, pivotally supported by a bracket member," secured to the upper face. of the cradle block 62. A manually operable lever 15 is pivotally con.- nected to the. bracket 12 at 15. An over center link 18 pivotally connects the lever 15 with the clamping arm 'a'l. Adjustment of the screw connection 80, existing between the clamping member 10 and lever H afiords a clamping adjustment whereby a locking action as Well as the clamping action is eifected by manual operation of the lever member 15.

The slidable clamping mechanisms 50, 5| are substantially the same in construction, but only one, will be described. The slide member 5!! comprises a positioning and clamping block secured to the slide member 50 and held in slidable relation to a base plate 9| by slideways or gibs 92 bolted to the base member 9|. The construction is such as to afiord accurate endwise movement of the bars 55], 5| regardless of any lateral force components. Mounted upon. the slidable cradle block 90 is a bracket structure 94 which pivotally supports a clamping arm 95 and from which depends. an, adjustable clamping block 95, the same being operable by lever member 91, as hereinbefore described with reference to the head clamping block 10. The clamping block 90 has a cradle formation 59a which conforms in shape to the cylindrical shape of the reach bar tube portion it is to engage.

The pressure exerting slides 56 and 51 are supported by slide construction supporting the slidable clamping blocks 90,. but are limited in their pressure exerting momments by stop members. 98 and S9. The slide members 53 and 57 have tube end abutting sockets 55a and 57a shaped to have pressure surfaces coincident with the tube and surfaces. The pressure slide members 55 and 5? may be operated in any desired manner, the means here shown comprising hydraulic pistons and cylinders. Thus, piston rods lllfi are provided with bifurcated ends Edi which span eye lugs H12 secured to the slide ends and pin I63. forms the mechanical connection between the piston rods Iilil and pressure slides 56-57. The rods Hill are operated by double acting piston members within the cylinder members I'M, there being hydraulic connections Hi5 and N35 for effecting a controlled reciprocating mov ment of the slide members 56, 51. The cylinders I04 are secured to the bed member 69 of the machine at such elevation that a horizontal plane passing through the center lines of the two piston rods I98 will pass substantially through the horizontal curve center lines of the two reach bars 52 and 53 and the tube head 65.

It will be noted that we have provided gauge pins Ht, Ill disposed to contact the exterior of the reach bar tubes in a generally longitudinal direction and'along the curved portions thereof.

escapes,

as the tubes are moved by the action of the pressure slides 56, 51.

The operation of this machine is as follows. A pro-formed double walled head tube is placed in the cradle of the gauging and clamping block 32 with one end abutting the gauging block 65 and with the center lines of the two non-parallel openings of the head member disposed in a horizontal plane and extending toward slide members 56, El. The gauging plug 65 is then drawn into engagement with the opposite end of the head tube by operation of lever 82. This function of positioning members 65-66 is shown in cross-section in Fig. 1A. The clamping block if! is swung into place to engage the central region of the side wall of the head tubs and is there locked by operation of the lever member 15. The pressure slide members Eli-til are in retracted position toward the left in Fig. l. The upper reach bar tube 52 and the lower reach bar tube 53 are then placed with the ends thereof in cavities 56a, 53a respectively, of the pressure slides 56 and 51 and the clamping blocks are brought to bear on the tubes after having been properly positioned, whereupon operation of the lever members 5'? effect the clamping of the two reach bar tubes to the slide members 50, 5| respectively.

When hydraulic pressure is brought to bear upon the pizssure slide members, 565l the tubes as well as the guiding slide members Eli-5i are shifted toward the head tube and the ends of the reach bar tubes with inserts therein are guided by the channels in the block 52 and pressed with suihcient force into the openings of the head tube to form a press fit engagement therebetween. During this movement the pins IiflI II and the slides 5S-5I serve to prevent any lateral distortion-of the tubes 52-53. The lever members er are then swung into unclamping position whereupon the pressure slide members 585'I can be retracted by operating the hydraulic control for the piston-cylinder mechaanisms. It wiii be noted that during such pressure operation and while the pins H and III serve as lateral supports to prevent lateral distortion of the tubes, due to their outwardly bowed shape, the tube ends being press fitted in the head tube openings, are moved in a direction which is substantially coincident with the center lines of the openings in the head tube wall.

It will also be noted that the angular disposition of the center lines of the piston rods Hi0 relative to the general longitudinal direction of the two reach bar tubes and the operatively angular disposition of the two clamping slides t], 55 are such that a very substantial pressure may be exerted to effect the press fit desired without a resulting localized or internal stressing of the tubular members.

In Fig. 6 it will be noted that the apparatus for effecting forward sub-assmnbly of the girls type frame is simplified insofar as the application of the press fitting forces is concerned and but one pressure slide I26 serves to act upon the two reach bar tubes 59, 5! and but one clamping slide I2I need be used inasmuch as the application of the pressure forces applied to the two reach bar tubes is more near to a parallel relationship. Other parts are the same or so similar to mecha nisms already described as to need no repetition.

In Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive. the same general arrangement of clamping slides and pressure heads is shown as being adapt-d to the pressure assembly of a proformed lower rear fork member I30 and-a pro-formed upper rear fork member I3! with branches or lugs formed on a rear axle plate member of yoke I32. Th-se frame members are indicated by dot and dash lines. Plate 132 is supported in a substantially fiat or horizontal position on a clamping block I33 secured to the bed 134 of the machine. Clamping member I36 engages the top face of the plate I32 to hold it in clamped relation to an abutting thrust plate I31 fixed to block I33. This thrust plate has thrust surfaces contoured to the edge shape of the rear of the plate I32. Associated with the block I33 are guide blocks 38 provided with tube guiding surfaces disposed beneath the tube engaging lugs 320., I322) of plate I32. Clamp I36 is operated by a manual lever I39 in the manner generally hereinbefore described. In Fig. 15 the relative position of the three frame parts to be assembled is illustrated before assembling pressure has been exerted thereon.

The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism to firmly clamp the plate member I32 to the fixed clamping block I33. The fixture (as shown) is for effecting the assembly of the right side tubular member of the upper rear fork structure and the right side tubular member of the lower rear fork structure. To form the left-hand side assembly the position of the reach bar tubes, as well as the shape of the plate member I32, will be reversed and the mechanisms adapted accordingly. It will'be seen that fork tube I3I is positioned in a slidable clamp mechanism comprising slide block i 18 disposed in slideway gibs Ml, I42 and is held in a semi-cylindrical channel conforming to the shape of the tube. The tube is held in the channel of the block by an adjustable clamping member hi5. Clamping member 5 55 is shiftable and lockable by a manually operable lever Ii6 in the manner generally hereinbefore described. A pressure slide 56 is connected to a piston rod I5I operated by a double action piston disposed in a hydraulic cylinder !52, generally in the manner hereinbefore described. This mechanism is duplicated for the lower rear fork member MI and the disposition of the two mechanisms relative to the axial plate member I32 is such that the pressure shifting of the flattened ends of the tubular fork members relative to the lugs 132a and I321) formed on the plate member I32 will be parallel relative to the surfaces of the lugs. I

No apparatus for the center mast tube assembly is shown, but the same may comprise a clamping mechanism similar to the head tube clamping and gauging means shown in Fig. 1 and a clamp- .ing slide for press fitting the lower end of the center mast tube into its corresponding opening formed in the double wall of the hanger housing tube. The branched cluster may be press fitted along the mast tube to the desired position by a slidable clamping mechanism and the respective mechanisms may be effective to produce the center mast sub-assembly with the center line of the hanger housing properly disposed relative to the center lines of the branches of the cluster member.

The final assembly of the sub-assemblies above described is effected by fixedly supporting the center mast assembly through the use of a gauging'means extending into both ends of the hanger housing and with associated clamping means and, further, by the use of clamping means which firmly engages the cluster portion of the center mast assembly. The front sub-assembly and the two rear sub-assemblies are then positioned-with yawthe free ends of the smaller tubular elements thereof substantially in alignment with the openings in the branches of the cluster member and the openings in the tubular wall of the hanger housing member. While maintaining this relationship, compression forces are applied to the head end of the front assembly and the rear ends or plates of the two rear fork assemblies so that the free ends of the smaller tubes of the respective assemblies are shifted toward each other and into the openings in the cluster and hanger housing. This operation is effected by applying forces in a general longitudinal direction relative to the smaller tubes of these assemblies in substantially precision relation to the respective openings into which they are to be press fitted. Means are provided for gauging the longitudinal movement of the ends of the smaller tubes after entrance thereof into the openings of the center mast assembly so that a proper relation of the smaller tube ends to the front housing, to the hanger housing, to the seat post cluster and to the rear axle plates may always be obtained regardless of variations in the resistance encountered at one tubular joining point relative .to another. The result is an overall accuracy of the disposition of the hanger housing relative to the front housing or head and the rear axle plates without any undue localized strain of any of the tubu ar members and jcintures comprising the preassembled frame. A final locking is effected between one of the front reach bar ends and the center mast cluster in addition to the press fitted connection therebetween. Mechanism for carrying out the above outlined method of final assembly comprises the hydraulically operated final assembly machine shown in Figs. 18 to 44 inclusive, of the drawings.

Figs. 16 and 17 comprise more or less diagrammatic representations of the pro-assemblies comprising a boys and a girls type bicycle frame. As stated hereinbefore, the center mast assembly is effected by mechanism not disclosed herein. This center mast assembly comprises a hanger housing tube I60, a main or center mast tube I6I, a four-branch cluster or tube-joining means 592 and a seat post supporting tube I63, as shown in Fig. 16, for the boys frame. In the girls frame, in lieu of the cluster I62, there are two clusters I94 and IE5. These'various hollow members are press fitted by any suitable means to accurately form the tubular center mast pre-assembly structure illustrated.

The final assembly machine for press fitting these four preliminary sub-assemblies together comprises a front gauging, clamping and guiding mechanism for the front sub-assembly, a gauging, guiding and clamping mechanism for the two rear sub-assemblies, and a gauging and clamping mechanism for rigidly positioning and holding the center mast pro-assembly. Hydraulic means is provided for effectively press fitting the six free ends of the tubular members, comprising the front and rear assemblies, into openings in the center mast assembly and means for sepas rating the completely assembled frame from the mechanism after the frame has been press fitted and locked together, also is provided. The order of description of these yarious mechanisms will be followed hereinafter generally as outlined above. Associated with the respective slide mechanisms are cam operated tube stabilizers for preventing buckling or distortion of the curved tubes when longitudinal pressures are exerted thereon by the hydraulic means.

The front mechanism for receiving, gauging,

clamping and shifting the front sub-assembly toward the fixed center mast assembly to press fit these two assemblies together is illustrated in Figs. 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 2'7 and 32 of the drawings. This mechanism comprises slide structures operatively supported upon a heavy plate I70, forming the table or bed of the machine, and a supporting framework for the table is indicated generally in the drawings. The front slide mechanism supports two oppositely disposed pneumatic or hy draulic piston cylinder mechanisms Ill and I12 which operate oppositely disposed gauging plugs that fit into the open ends of the head or front housing tube 49. The slide mechanism, including the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders I H and I I2 is shifted or operated as a unit by a hydraulic cylinder mechanism I14 and the controls therefor may be conveniently located on the top of bed I19. In Figs. 23, 2.5, 26 and 27 the side mechanism is shown as comprising a main slide structure I15, a base plate I16 supported by the table IlIJ, slideways IT! and a carriage plate I18 secured to the slide structure. The carriage plate is reinforced to obtain stiffness by two spaced apart truss members I19 and I80, to which the hydraulic cylinders Ill and H2 are attached and disposed therebetween. Carriage plate H8 is provided with a further .slideway structure comprising slide gibs I8I secured to the table I10 of the machine and which slidably en age stabilizer slide members I82 secured to the under side of plate I18 in operative relation to the members I8I. The hydrau ic piston cylinder mechanism I14 has a connecting rod I'Ma thereof connected to the slide structure I15 by a bracket I83 and .a pin I84 extending through the bracket and a yoke-formed end of the piston rod IMa.

A third slide structure is provided comprising the s ide member I98 placed above the plane of the table and operating upon blocks I99, which also form a support for the h draulic cylinder mechanism I'M disposed therehetween. Gibs 290 are secured to the members I99 to complete the sl deway structure. The forward end of the slide I98 comprises an integral bracket formation I99a which abuts and is secured to the truss member I80. The central region of the truss members is cut away, as shown in Fig. 26, to afford visibility and access to the operating position of a cradle member I88 secured to the carriage p ate I18 and which is channeled to receive the front hous ng 49 and attached tubes, 5l-53. The channel formation will vary for a boys type or girls type frame.

Retractable gau ing plugs I89 and I9!) are carried by slide members I9I and I92. respectively, and which operate in slideways I93 disposed at opposite ends of the cradle member I88. The shapes of the gauging plugs H89 and I99 are such as to engage the ends of the head tube 49 to center it and also to serve as stops for limiting the inward movement of the ends of the reach bar tubes 52 and 53 when pressure is exerted generally longitudinally upon the tubes. The relationship of these plugs reative to the tube ends is a duplication substantially of that shown in Fig. 1A.. Slide members I9! and I92, carrying these gauging plugs, may be connected to the hydraulic connecting mechanisms ill and. I12 by any convenient means, such as pivotal pin connections mil-495 respectively. In Fig. 25 the adaptation of the mechanism described for both boys and girls type of frame assembly is indicated by the dot and dash lines and refer- 

